Osjeck looks to South Korea friendly for World Cup measure

SOCCEROOS coach Holger Osieck says next month's friendly with South Korea will give him the perfect guide as to where his team sits in its bid for qualification for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

The Australians will meet the South Koreans in Hwaseong on Wednesday, November 14, and Osieck said the South Koreans, who top the other group in Asian qualifying for the 2014 World Cup, would provide a great opportunity to see just how far his team had progressed.

"We are now at the halfway mark and we need to focus on our remaining qualification matches," he said.

"It's always a challenge to face the Korea Republic ... the match will serve as a good comparison test for us."

The Australian coach might take the opportunity to give rising stars such as goalkeeper Mitch Langerak, who is plying his trade in Germany with Borussia Dortmund or Tommy Oar, who has been playing in midfield for Utrecht in the

Dutch top flight, to state their case for selection.

It will be the 25th meeting between the teams - Australia has won eight times, the South Koreans six and there have been 10 draws.

Osieck's team will resume World Cup qualification in March when it hosts Oman at ANZ Stadium in Sydney.